Lonzo Ball benched for fourth quarter of Lakers' 100-93 win over Suns

LaVar Ball may be too busy with the Big Baller Brand pop-up shop in Hong Kong to chime in on Lonzo Ball’s NBA exploits. But the world’s most famous helicopter father probably wouldn’t have been happy to see his eldest son sit out the entirety of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 100-93 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

“We got a win, so I got no complaints,” Ball said. “My teammates got it done in the fourth, and I’m happy to at least get one on this road trip.”

This wasn’t a case of Ball getting benched for poor play. He came out at the 2:47 mark of the third quarter having tallied seven points on 3-of-10 shooting (1-of-4 from three-point range) with five rebounds, five assists, two steals and four turnovers.

That frame featured a handful of signature Lonzo plays: a full-court pass up to Lopez for a one-dribble finish, a post-up score over the diminutive Tyler Ulis, a step-back three-pointers from 31 feet and a drive-and-dish to Brewer as he cut baseline.

If not for the superlative play of his teammates—who, along with Zo, combined for a season-high 14 three-point makes—Ball probably would’ve returned in the fourth quarter to challenge for his second straight triple double.

“There’s a couple times I was one play away from putting him back in, and one of those guys would make a play,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said afterward.

Ball should have plenty of energy on Wednesay, when the Lakers return to Staples Center to host the Philadelphia 76ers. All eyes will be on Zo as he matches up for the first time with Joel Embiid and Rookie of the Year favorite Ben Simmons—and tries to avoid getting put on a poster by Philly’s young studs.